Rwot Lakica Women’s Group, a member of the Women’s Advocacy Network (WAN) at JRP, is pleased to release the music video for its new song “Lubanga Ber (God Is Good)” featuring group members and Acholi musician Jeff Korondo. The song and video, which chronicle the challenges facing formerly-abducted women during captivity and upon return home, were produced by Music for Peace (MfP), an initiative of northern Ugandan musicians to promote the power of music for peacebuilding and positive social change. It is envisaged that the song and video can be used by Rwot Lakica and the WAN as advocacy tools for redress and accountability for the wrongs they experienced during northern Uganda’s longstanding conflicts.
“Lubanga Ber,” recorded in the Acholi lakubukubu style, begins by thanking God for taking away the troubles and disturbances the women faced while in captivity of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). This includes persevering the long treks, the heavy rains, and the tall mountains. It alludes to the stigmatization they faced from the community after turning home, saying “The low opinions they used to have about me, He has taken them away. The beauty of God can be seen on me.” The song also notes the present-day struggles of many formerly-abducted women, including lack of money to pay school fees for children (including those born in captivity), and access to land, shelter, and feeding. Another notable feature of the song is its call to those still with the LRA in central Africa to return home, and the appeal to know the Government of Uganda’s response to the women’s plight. Korondo’s verse urges the Acholi to embark on education, prayer, and protection of land.
The group intends to publicize the song through radio and dissemination to partners. The women are particularly interested in ensuring that it gets played in LRA-affected areas in central Africa, so that those still with the rebels can hear their voices and defect. They intend to produce additional songs in MfP’s recording studio in Gulu, so that their messages for peace and reconciliation can continue to be heard.
Watch the video here: